Status note: [NEEDS AFS INPUT: whether AFS operates a BYOD program at all — this policy is dormant until that is confirmed. AFS is a KG1 – Grade 6 school: personal devices are NOT generally expected or required, and any BYOD program would apply only where the school directs (for example, in the upper grades).]
DOCUMENT CONTROL
| Policy Reference | AFS-POL-09 (proposed scheme — see _ADAPTATION_NOTES.md) [NEEDS AFS INPUT: confirm policy-numbering scheme] |
| Date Adopted | [NEEDS AFS INPUT] |
| Last Review Date | [NEEDS AFS INPUT] |
| Next Scheduled Revision (yearly) | [NEEDS AFS INPUT] |
| Version | Author | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | [NEEDS AFS INPUT: policy owner] | [NEEDS AFS INPUT] | Adapted for Al Fajer Private School (KG1 – Grade 6, American curriculum) from the source policy |
Table of Contents
- Introduction & Rationale
- Theft, Loss or Damage
- Appropriate Devices
- Usage
- Schoolwork on Personal Devices
- Unacceptable Use
- Technical Support and Maintenance
1.0 Introduction & Rationale
1.1 At Al Fajer Private School (AFS), we recognize and embrace the positive effect technology use can have on teaching and learning.
1.2 AFS is a KG1 – Grade 6 school. Students are young children, and personal devices are not generally expected or required for learning. If the school operates a BYOD program, it applies only to the grades or classes the school designates (see the status note above), and always under staff direction and supervision. Parents share responsibility with the school for how their child's device is set up, cared for, and used.
1.3 The aims of this policy are to set in place practices for responsible and ethical use of technology within the AFS community, ensuring the privacy and safety of all its members. This policy applies to all personal devices brought onto the school campus, and should be read in conjunction with the Online Safety Policy and the Use of Mobile Phone Policy.
1.4 For the purposes of this document, the term "personal device" refers to any laptop or tablet brought from home that is capable of establishing a data connection and which can be used for schoolwork.
2.0 Theft, Loss or Damage
2.1 AFS accepts no responsibility for the loss, theft, damage, or malfunction of personally owned devices.
2.2 AFS will investigate any reports of theft or loss to the best of its ability, and it is the student's (or, for younger students, the parent's) responsibility to inform a member of staff in the event of such an incident.
2.3 In the case of damaged devices, students must inform a member of staff, who will take appropriate action and inform parents if necessary.
2.4 Parents are responsible for, and encouraged to purchase, personal insurance for devices in case of loss, theft, damage, or malfunction.
2.5 Parents are encouraged to install antivirus and malware-detection software on personal devices, and to keep it up to date.
3.0 Appropriate Devices
3.1 Devices brought to AFS under any BYOD arrangement are expected to be able to access the internet, perform basic data processing, and be upgradable to the latest operating system, browsers, and antivirus software.
3.2 While mobile phones may be capable of some schoolwork, they are not an appropriate device, and their use is governed by the Use of Mobile Phone Policy.
4.0 Usage
4.1 When using technology, students are responsible for their own behavior, as per the expectations outlined within the school's Behavior, Rewards & Sanctions Policy and the school's ICT acceptable-use expectations. [NEEDS AFS INPUT: an ICT Acceptable Use Policy is not in the current AFS policy set — create it or remove this reference] This applies to both personal and school-owned devices.
4.2 The use of devices is completely at the discretion of school staff and should not be seen as a right.
4.3 Devices are only to be used in lesson time when permission is granted by a member of staff; use outside of lesson time is not permitted.
4.4 No device may be used to record, store, or transmit any type of image, sound, or video without the permission of a staff member and that of the individuals being recorded.
4.5 Internet traffic within the school is monitored, and any usage not deemed educational will be classified as misuse.
4.6 Students are required to use strong passwords on their devices. Staff and parents support younger students in setting up and managing passwords.
4.7 Students, supported by their parents, are responsible for the care of devices, including safe handling and charging the device in preparation for the school day.
4.8 Students are to be aware of and follow copyright laws, with age-appropriate guidance from staff.
4.9 Devices must not be used to view or store any inappropriate content, including but not limited to pornographic content, evidence of bullying, or other unlawful content. Parents are asked to check what is stored on a device before it comes to school.
4.10 Students are encouraged to report any abuse, misuse, or access to inappropriate content to a member of staff.
4.11 All devices are to be set on silent mode while in school, and put away in bags when not in use.
4.12 Personal devices may not be on anyone's person during assessments of any kind unless access arrangements have been made.
4.13 The school has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, which extends to the use of devices and cyber-bullying (see the Online Safety Policy).
4.14 The school's IT department will endeavor to assist with any technical difficulties but cannot guarantee a solution in every instance — as per the expectations outlined within section 7.0.
4.15 Personally owned devices should never be connected directly to the school's wired network without the IT department's knowledge and permission. Misuse of this provision will be addressed under the Behavior, Rewards & Sanctions Policy.
4.16 All devices used on the school network must have an up-to-date antivirus/anti-malware program installed and enabled at all times. The school is not responsible for damage or data loss caused by malicious programs accessed through the school networks, including on personal devices.
4.17 Each teacher has the discretion to allow and to regulate the use of personal devices in the classroom and on specific projects. Teachers may choose to use them on some days and not others, use them every day, or not use them at all. Students must comply with the teacher's decisions on the use of devices. While in class, personal devices may not be used for non-instructional purposes (making personal phone calls, text messaging, etc.).
4.18 The student Wi-Fi network is accessible only through the student's unique username and password, issued by the school's IT department.
4.19 Students must not share passwords, use others' passwords, access others' accounts, or attempt to work around the school filter, network, or internet. Students are advised not to lend their devices to others.
4.20 Additional rules concerning the use of mobile phones on the school site are outlined in the Use of Mobile Phone Policy.
4.21 Students and parents should seek clarification on the above-mentioned points from a member of staff if there is any confusion regarding them.
5.0 Schoolwork on Personal Devices
5.1 Where a class uses devices, work is set and collected via the school's learning platform, and it is the student's responsibility — with parent support for younger students — to keep track of due dates and to tell their teacher if they cannot access the relevant class space. [NEEDS AFS INPUT: AFS learning platform — the source school's proprietary platform has not been carried over]
6.0 Unacceptable Use
6.1 In the case of any misuse, the following may occur, with students receiving age-appropriate consequences in accordance with the Behavior, Rewards & Sanctions Policy:
6.1.1 If there is reasonable suspicion of misuse, whether it falls under the points mentioned in this policy or outside of them, staff have the right to confiscate the device and hand it to a senior member of staff, in addition to limiting a student's technology privileges;
6.1.2 The school reserves the right to search the contents of a device if the suspicion involves the storing or viewing of inappropriate materials; [NEEDS AFS INPUT: a Search and Confiscation Policy is not in the current AFS policy set — create it or remove this cross-reference]
6.1.3 A record will be kept of any instances of misuse, which will be reviewed by the school leadership team; repeat instances will be noted and addressed accordingly, with parents involved.
7.0 Technical Support and Maintenance
7.1 IT helpdesk: the school's IT helpdesk is available to assist students with routine technical needs related to software applications, network connectivity, and general troubleshooting.
7.2 Hardware and operating-system troubleshooting: while the school's IT helpdesk provides support for routine technical issues, families are responsible for handling hardware- and operating-system-level troubleshooting. This includes addressing issues at the hardware and software level that may incur additional costs. Families are expected to manage and bear the expenses associated with such troubleshooting, which extends beyond the scope of the school's standard technical-support services.